Rosal, Allado finish close second in Nicklaus Invit'l

The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines fumbled with an early bogey and ran out of holes in a spirited fightback against South Africa, settling for runner-up honors in the eighth Jack Nicklaus International Invitational at the Nicklaus-designed New Albany Country Club’s West and North courses in Columbus, Ohio recently.

Yuri Allado and Abe Rosal combined for four birdies in the closing holes of the finals but the Jeanne Koegelenberg and Mark Roux hit five birdies in the last nine holes to finish with a net score of 50.8 and a gross 54 over 15 holes.

A bogey on the par-3 No. 2 stymied the Filipinos’ bid as they posted four points while the South Africans made a birdie from eight feet to seize control early in the event dubbed as the Tournament of Champions, which brings together the winners of each JNII national tournament held over the previous 12 months in select countries around the world.

This year, teams from six countries advanced to play in the 18-hole international final sponsored by Jack Nicklaus Sportswear. The event has raised over $2 million for charities around the world since its inception in 2006.

South Korea’s Doo Young Choi and Janghyun Yang nipped the Indonesian pair of Andyjaya Melawi and David Sumedap to turn in its best finish of third.

Rosal also shared the spotlight as he scored a hole-in-one on the 151-yard No. 5 and won a Jack Nicklaus memorabilia.

“The JNII experience was definitely one off the bucket list – meeting Jack Nicklaus and having VIP access to the Memorial tournament were the highlights of the trip aside from forging new friendships with the rest of the participants,” said Allado.

The JNII is a two-man team competition for recreational players of all skill levels who get to experience competitive golf in a relaxed, social atmosphere that promotes camaraderie and interest in the game. Players who enter national JNII events get to play top courses in tournament-like conditions and a chance to win great prizes, including an expense paid VIP trip to play for their country in the Tournament of Champions.